Abstract During the Neotropical review of Celtis, a new species (Celtis atlantica) endemic and endangered to southeastern Brazil was discovered. A morphological description, a distribution map, conservation status, taxonomic notes, illustrations, and an identification key of the Celtis from the Southern Cone and Brazil are provided. atlantica discovered description map status notes illustrations provided

ABSTRACT Deforestation requests to government decision-makers aim for the legal permission to remove secondary forests for economic reasons. In the State of Rio de Janeiro, Resolução Conama nº 06/1994 drives the analysis of successional stages of such forests. It does not define which inclusion criterion (diameter at breast height) should be used in forest inventories. We used Floresta da Cicuta as a case study to evaluate the influence of different inclusion criteria on species richness, diversity and structure parameters having Resolução Conama nº 06/1994 as background. Using Hill numbers, we found that the DBH ≥ 2.5 cm highlighted species richness. Species richness is improperly addressed in Resolução Conama nº 06/1994. The use of DBH ≥ 2.5 cm detected 30 individuals of threatened species, while DBH ≥ 10 cm detected only nine. Basal area was the most accurate parameter to identify the successional stage. Mean DBH and mean height misidentified successional stage. We strongly advise environmental authorities to demand the use of DBH ≥ 2.5 cm in forest inventories for deforestation requests. We strongly encourage the review of Resolução Conama nº 06/1994 by environmental authorities in order to reduce the risk of mistaken classification of successional stage of secondary forests. decisionmakers decision makers reasons Janeiro 061994 06 1994 06/199 diameter background numbers 25 2 5 2. 3 1 nine 06199 0 199 06/19 0619 19 06/1 061 06/